Vehicle driving assistance system

Abstract

To provide a travel support system of a vehicle which mediates a travel order of vehicles facing each other on both sides of a narrow road.SOLUTION: A travel support system of a vehicle comprises: a plurality of vehicles comprising GPS receivers and communication terminals; and a server. The server comprises: a communication device which can communicate with the communication terminals of the plurality of vehicles; a storage device which stores identification information and entrance directions of a narrow road which the plurality of vehicles enters; and a control device which stores the identification information and the entrance direction of the narrow road when any one of the plurality of vehicles enters the narrow road, and on the other hand, deletes the identification information and the entrance direction of the narrow road when the one vehicle passes through the narrow road. Each of the plurality of vehicles comprises a navigation device which commands entrance standby to the narrow road when the identification information of the narrow road and an entrance direction opposite to the entrance direction of the vehicle are stored in the storage device when the vehicle enters the narrow road.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a vehicle driving support system, and more particularly to a vehicle driving support system that arbitrates the entry order of vehicles facing each other across a narrow road.

Background Art

[0002] When two vehicles are traveling towards each other across a road that is too narrow to pass each other, a vehicle driving support system has been proposed that uses vehicle-to-vehicle communication devices to arbitrate the entry order of the vehicles (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, when the distance between two vehicles traveling towards each other across a narrow road is large or there is a communication obstacle between the two vehicles, it is not possible to use the vehicle-to-vehicle communication device to arbitrate the entry order of the vehicles.

[0005] In view of the above circumstances, at least one embodiment of the present invention aims to provide a vehicle driving support system that can arbitrate the entry order of vehicles facing each other across a narrow road.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] (1) A driving support system according to at least one embodiment of the present invention is a driving support system for a vehicle comprising a plurality of vehicles equipped with GPS receivers and communication terminals, and a server, wherein the server comprises a communication device capable of communicating with the communication terminals of the plurality of vehicles, a storage device that stores identification information and the direction of entry of a narrow road into which the plurality of vehicles enter, and a control device that stores the identification information and the direction of entry of the narrow road in the storage device when any one of the plurality of vehicles enters the narrow road, and erases the identification information and the direction of entry of the narrow road from the storage device when the vehicle has passed through the narrow road, and each of the plurality of vehicles is equipped with a navigation device that instructs the vehicle to wait before entering the narrow road when the identification information and the direction of entry opposite to the direction of entry of the vehicle are stored in the storage device.

[0007] According to the configuration described in (1) above, if the identification information of the narrow road and the direction of entry opposite to the direction of entry of the vehicle are stored in the memory device, the navigation system will instruct the vehicle to wait before entering the narrow road because an oncoming vehicle that entered the narrow road from the opposite direction of the vehicle's entry is currently traveling on the narrow road. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the vehicle (the own vehicle) from entering the narrow road when an oncoming vehicle is traveling on the narrow road. This makes it possible to mediate the order in which vehicles facing each other across a narrow road enter the narrow road based on the order in which they entered the narrow road.

[0008] (2) In some embodiments, in the configuration of (1) above, the server includes a database storing information on the narrow road and the entrance and exit of the narrow road, the control device includes a vehicle position acquisition unit that acquires the vehicle's position information from position information transmitted from the communication terminal and received by the communication device, a vehicle position comparison unit that, when the vehicle's position information is acquired, compares the positions of the plurality of vehicles with respect to the narrow road, and a notification generation unit that generates a notification including the position information of the vehicle within the predetermined range to be transmitted to the vehicle within the predetermined range with respect to the narrow road when one of the plurality of vehicles enters the narrow road, the vehicle includes a display device, and the navigation device includes a notification acquisition unit that acquires the notification and a display generation unit that causes the display device to display the position of the vehicle within the predetermined range.

[0009] According to the configuration described in (2) above, the position of vehicles within a predetermined range on a narrow road is displayed on the display device, making it possible to predict the order in which vehicles should enter the narrow road.

[0010] (3) In some embodiments, in the configuration of (2) above, the database stores standby position information set on both sides of the narrow road, the notification generation unit includes the standby position information set on both sides of the narrow road in the notification, and the display generation unit causes the standby positions set on both sides of the narrow road to be displayed on the display device.

[0011] According to the configuration described in (3) above, the waiting positions set on both sides of the narrow road are displayed on the display device, so the waiting position of a vehicle that waits until an oncoming vehicle entering from the opposite direction to the vehicle's direction of entry has passed can be identified.

[0012] (4) In some embodiments, in the configuration of (1) above, the vehicle is provided with a database storing information on the narrow road and the entrance and exit of the narrow road, the navigation device is provided with a vehicle position acquisition unit that acquires the vehicle's position information from position information acquired by the GPS receiver, a narrow road entry detection unit that detects the vehicle's entry into and passage through the narrow road from the information on the narrow road and the entrance and exit of the narrow road, as well as the vehicle's position information, a narrow road entry information transmission unit that causes the communication terminal to transmit identification information and entry direction of the narrow road into which the vehicle enters, and identification information and entry information of the narrow road through which the vehicle has passed, the control device is provided with a narrow road entry information acquisition unit that acquires from the communication terminal the narrow road into which the vehicle enters and the direction of entry, and identification information and entry direction of the narrow road through which the vehicle has passed, and the identification information of the narrow road stored in the storage device The navigation device includes a narrow road entry vehicle matching unit that matches the direction of entry with the vehicle's direction of entry; a storage control unit that stores the identification information of the narrow road and the direction of entry in the storage device if the same narrow road identification information as the vehicle's direction of entry, but in the opposite direction to the direction of entry of the vehicle entering the narrow road, is not stored; an erase control unit that erases the identification information of the narrow road and the direction of entry of the vehicle that has passed through from the storage device; and a notification unit that notifies the communication terminal that the same narrow road identification information as the vehicle's direction of entry, but in the opposite direction to the direction of entry of the vehicle entering the narrow road, is stored. The navigation device also includes a notification acquisition unit that receives notification from the communication terminal that the storage device stores the identification information of the narrow road and the direction of entry opposite to the direction of entry of the vehicle entering the narrow road.

[0013] According to the configuration in (4) above, if the identification information for the narrow road into which the vehicle is entering is the same as the identification information for the narrow road into which the vehicle is entering, and the direction of entry in the opposite direction to the direction of entry of the vehicle entering the narrow road is not stored, the identification information for the narrow road into which the vehicle is entering and the direction of entry are stored in the memory device. If the identification information for the narrow road and the direction of entry in the opposite direction to the direction of entry of the vehicle are stored in the memory device, the navigation system will instruct the vehicle to wait before entering the narrow road because an oncoming vehicle that entered the narrow road from the opposite direction to the direction of entry of the vehicle is currently traveling on the narrow road. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the vehicle (the vehicle itself) from entering the narrow road when an oncoming vehicle is traveling on the narrow road. This makes it possible to mediate the order in which vehicles facing each other across a narrow road enter the narrow road based on the order in which they entered the narrow road.

[0014] (5) In some embodiments, in the configuration of (4) above, the vehicle is equipped with a display device, the database stores standby position information set on both sides of the narrow road, and the navigation device has a standby position designation unit that, when the vehicle enters the narrow road, specifies a standby position on the entrance side of the vehicle's direction of entry if the storage device has the same identification information for the narrow road into which the vehicle is entering, but with an entry direction opposite to the direction in which the vehicle is entering the narrow road, and a display generation unit that displays the standby position on the display device.

[0015] According to the configuration in (5) above, when a vehicle enters a narrow road, if the same narrow road identification information as the vehicle is entering the narrow road, but the direction of entry opposite to the direction of entry of the vehicle entering the narrow road is stored in the storage device, then an oncoming vehicle that entered the narrow road from the opposite direction to the direction of entry of the vehicle is traveling on the narrow road. Therefore, the waiting position designation unit designates a waiting position on the entrance side of the vehicle's entry direction, and the display generation unit displays that waiting position on the display device. As a result, the vehicle driving support system can make the vehicle entering the narrow road wait at the waiting position until the oncoming vehicle that entered the narrow road from the opposite direction to the direction of entry of the vehicle has passed the narrow road. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to at least one embodiment of the present invention, the order in which vehicles facing each other across a narrow road can be determined by the order in which they entered the narrow road. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0017] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of the vehicle driving support system according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a flowchart showing the information transmission procedure for the vehicle. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a flowchart showing the information transmission procedure of the server. [Figure 4] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of the vehicle driving support system according to Embodiment 2. [Figure 5] Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the information transmission procedure for the vehicle. [Figure 6] Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the information transmission procedure of the server. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0018] Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, etc. of the components described as embodiments or shown in the drawings are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, but are merely illustrative examples. For example, expressions representing relative or absolute arrangements such as "in a certain direction", "along a certain direction", "parallel", "orthogonal", "center", "concentric", or "coaxial" not only strictly represent such arrangements, but also represent states in which there are tolerances or relative displacements with angles and distances that can achieve the same function. Also, for example, expressions representing shapes such as square shapes or cylindrical shapes not only represent shapes such as square shapes or cylindrical shapes in a geometrically strict sense, but also represent shapes including concavo-convex portions, chamfered portions, etc. within a range where the same effect can be obtained. On the other hand, the expressions "comprising", "having", "including", or "possessing" one component are not exclusive expressions that exclude the existence of other components.

[0019] [Embodiment 1] [Configuration of Vehicle Driving Support System] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle driving support system 1 according to Embodiment 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle driving support system 1 according to Embodiment 1 includes a plurality of vehicles 14, 16 equipped with a GPS receiver 10 and a communication terminal 12, and a server 18.

[0020] The GPS receiver 10 is a device that measures the position of the GPS receiver 10 by receiving signals from GPS satellites (hereinafter referred to as "GPS signals"), and has a position information acquisition unit 20 that acquires position information from the GPS signals. The position information is, for example, longitude and latitude information. The communication terminal 12 is a device that communicates with the server 18, and has a position information transmission unit 22 that transmits the position information of the GPS receiver 10 measured by the GPS receiver 10 to the server 18. The communication terminal 12 can be constantly connected to the server 18 and can sequentially transmit the position information of the GPS receiver 10 to the server 18.

[0021] The server 18 includes a communication device 24 capable of communicating with communication terminals 12 of multiple vehicles 14, 16, a storage device 26 that stores identification information and entry direction of a narrow road into which multiple vehicles 14, 16 enter, and a control device 28 that stores the identification information and entry direction of the narrow road in the storage device 26 when any one of the multiple vehicles 14, 16 enters the narrow road, and erases the identification information and entry direction of the narrow road from the storage device 26 when that vehicle 14, 16 has passed through the narrow road.

[0022] The communication device 24 is constantly connected to the communication terminals 12 of multiple vehicles 14 and 16, and the location information of the GPS receivers 10 of the multiple vehicles 14 and 16 is updated sequentially. The narrow roads into which the multiple vehicles 14 and 16 enter are narrow roads stored in the database 30 on the server 18. The narrow roads stored in the database 30 are narrow roads where vehicles cannot pass each other; for example, narrow roads where two ordinary cars cannot pass each other are stored in the database 30. The narrow roads stored in the database 30 are stored, for example, as line segments connecting the entrance and exit of the narrow road. The line segments connecting the entrance and exit of the narrow road are identified, for example, by the longitude and latitude of the entrance and the longitude and latitude of the exit. The narrow roads stored in the database 30 may also include identifiers, road names, and road widths used for route searching.

[0023] The memory device 26 is a memory device that temporarily stores information (such as identification information for narrow roads and the direction of entry), and can store and erase information in a short time. The reason for storing the direction of entry for narrow roads in the memory device 26 is that it is necessary to mediate the order of travel with oncoming vehicles that are entering in the opposite direction, but it is not necessary to mediate the order of travel with preceding vehicles that are entering in the same direction.

[0024] The control device 28 includes a vehicle position acquisition unit 32 that acquires the position information of multiple vehicles 14, 16 from position information (position information of the GPS receiver 10) transmitted from the communication terminals 12 of multiple vehicles 14, 16 and received by the communication device 24, and a vehicle position comparison unit 34 that, when the position information of multiple vehicles 14, 16 is acquired, compares the positions of multiple vehicles 14, 16 with respect to a narrow road. The position information received by the communication device 24 is, for example, latitude and longitude information, and the position information of multiple vehicles 14, 16 is, for example, position information with respect to a narrow road stored in the database 30. Since the position information received by the communication device 24 is updated sequentially, the position information of multiple vehicles 14, 16 is also updated sequentially.

[0025] Furthermore, as the position information of multiple vehicles 14,16 is updated sequentially, the positions of multiple vehicles 14,16 on the narrow road are also updated sequentially, and the control device 28 can identify when one of the multiple vehicles 14(16) enters the narrow road and when that vehicle 14(16) passes through the narrow road. As a result, when one of the multiple vehicles 14,16 enters the narrow road, the control device 28 can store the identification information of the narrow road and the direction of entry in the storage device 26, and when that vehicle 14(16) passes through the narrow road, the identification information of the narrow road and the direction of entry can be erased from the storage device 26.

[0026] Furthermore, when one of the multiple vehicles 14, 16 enters a narrow road, the control device 28, if the storage device 26 has stored identification information of the narrow road into which the vehicle 16 is entering and the direction of entry opposite to the direction of entry of the vehicle 16, causes the communication device 24 to notify the communication terminal 12 of that vehicle 16.

[0027] Each of the multiple vehicles 14, 16 is equipped with a navigation device 36 that, when vehicle 16 is about to enter a narrow road, instructs the vehicle to wait before entering the narrow road if the identification information of the narrow road that vehicle 16 is about to enter and the direction of entry opposite to the direction of entry of vehicle 16 are stored in the storage device 26.

[0028] The navigation device 36 has a notification acquisition unit 38 that receives notification from the communication terminal 12 when the vehicle 16 is about to enter a narrow road, informing the storage device 26 that the identification information of the narrow road and the direction opposite to the direction in which the vehicle 16 is entering are stored there. Based on this, the navigation device 36 instructs the vehicle to wait before entering the narrow road.

[0029] [Assistance procedures for the vehicle's driving assistance system] Figure 2 is a flowchart showing the information transmission procedure for the vehicles shown in Figure 1, and Figure 3 is a flowchart showing the information transmission procedure for the server shown in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 2, when the GPS receiver 10 receives GPS signals from the multiple vehicles 14 and 16, the GPS receiver 10's location information acquisition unit 20 acquires the location information of the GPS receiver 10 (vehicles 14 and 16) from the GPS signals (step S11). Once the GPS receiver 10's location information acquisition unit 20 acquires the location information of the GPS receiver 10, the communication terminal 12's location information transmission unit 22 transmits the location information of the GPS receiver 10 (vehicles 14 and 16) to the server 18 (step S12).

[0030] As shown in Figure 3, when the communication device 24 receives the location information of the GPS receiver 10 (vehicles 14, 16) transmitted from the location information transmission unit 22 of the communication terminal 12, the vehicle position acquisition unit 32 of the control device 28 acquires the location information of vehicles 14, 16 (location information relative to a narrow road) from the location information (location information of the GPS receiver 10) received by the communication device 24 (step S21).

[0031] The communication device 24 on the server 18 is constantly connected to the communication terminals 12 on multiple vehicles 14 and 16, and the location information of the GPS receivers 10 on multiple vehicles 14 and 16 is updated sequentially, so the location information (location information relative to the narrow road) of multiple vehicles 14 and 16 is also updated sequentially. As a result, the control device 28 can identify when one of the multiple vehicles 14 (16) enters the narrow road, and when that vehicle 14 (16) passes through the narrow road.

[0032] The control device 28 on the server 18 stores the identification information of the narrow road and the direction of entry in the storage device 26 when one of the multiple vehicles 14, 16 enters the narrow road (step S22: Yes) (step S25). On the other hand, when that one vehicle 14 (16) passes through the narrow road (step S26, step S27: Yes), the identification information of the narrow road and the direction of entry are erased from the storage device 26 (step S28).

[0033] When one of the multiple vehicles 14, 16 enters a narrow road (step S22: Yes), the control device 28 of the server 18, if the storage device 26 has stored identification information of the narrow road into which the vehicle 16 is entering and the direction of entry opposite to the direction of entry of the vehicle 16 (step S23: Yes), causes the communication device 24 to notify the communication terminal 12 of that vehicle 16 (step S24).

[0034] When the communication terminal 12 of the vehicle 16 is notified that the storage device 26 contains identification information for the narrow road that the vehicle 16 is entering and the direction of entry opposite to the direction of entry of the vehicle 16, the notification acquisition unit 38 of the navigation device 36 receives a notification from the communication terminal 12 that the storage device 26 contains identification information for the narrow road that the vehicle 16 is entering and the direction of entry opposite to the direction of entry of the vehicle 16. As a result, the navigation device 36 instructs the vehicle to wait before entering the narrow road.

[0035] [Effectiveness of vehicle driving assistance systems] According to the vehicle driving support system 1 of Embodiment 1, if the identification information of the narrow road into which vehicle 16 is entering and the direction of entry opposite to the direction of entry of vehicle 16 are stored in the storage device 26, the navigation device 36 instructs the vehicle to wait before entering the narrow road because an oncoming vehicle 14 that entered the narrow road from the opposite direction to the direction of entry of vehicle 16 is currently traveling on the narrow road. Therefore, it is possible to prevent vehicle 16 from entering the narrow road when the oncoming vehicle 14 is traveling on the narrow road. This makes it possible to mediate the order in which vehicles 14 and 16, which are facing each other across the narrow road, enter the narrow road in the order in which they entered it.

[0036] [Vehicle Driving Assistance System Variation 1] The server 18 may include a notification generation unit 40 that generates a notification containing location information of vehicles 14, 16 within a predetermined range on the narrow road when one of the multiple vehicles 14, 16 enters the narrow road, but this is not required. The vehicles 14, 16 within the predetermined range include the vehicle 14 entering the narrow road, as well as following vehicles that enter the narrow road after the vehicle 14, oncoming vehicles 16 entering the narrow road from the opposite direction to the vehicle 14's entry, and vehicles that enter the narrow road within a predetermined time after the vehicle 14 has passed through the narrow road.

[0037] The notification acquisition unit 38 may receive notifications that include location information of vehicles 14 and 16 within a predetermined range, and the navigation device 36 may have a display generation unit 44 that causes the location of vehicles 14 and 16 within a predetermined range to be displayed on a display device 42 provided in the vehicles 14 and 16.

[0038] According to the vehicle driving support system 1 of the modified example 1, the positions of vehicles 14 and 16 within a predetermined range on a narrow road are displayed on the display device 42, so the order in which vehicles enter a narrow road can be predicted.

[0039] [Variation example 2 of the vehicle's driving assistance system] Database 30 stores standby position information set on both sides of a narrow road, and notification generation unit 40 may include standby position information set on both sides of a narrow road in notifications that include location information of vehicles 14 and 16 within a predetermined range. In this case, display generation unit 44 causes the standby positions set on both sides of a narrow road to be displayed on the display devices 42 provided on vehicles 14 and 16.

[0040] According to the vehicle driving support system 1 of the modified example 2, the waiting positions set on both sides of the narrow road are displayed on the display device 42, so the waiting position of vehicle 16 can be identified until an oncoming vehicle 14 that entered from the opposite direction to the direction of vehicle 16's entry has passed.

[0041] [Embodiment 2] [Configuration of the vehicle's driving assistance system] Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the vehicle driving support system 5 according to Embodiment 2. As shown in Figure 4, the vehicle driving support system 5 according to Embodiment 2 comprises a plurality of vehicles 54, 56 equipped with GPS receivers 50 and communication terminals 52, and a server 58.

[0042] The GPS receiver 50 is a device that determines its position by receiving signals from GPS satellites (hereinafter referred to as "GPS signals"), and has a position information acquisition unit 60 that acquires position information from GPS signals. The position information is, for example, longitude and latitude information.

[0043] Each of the multiple vehicles 54, 56 is equipped with a navigation device 62. The navigation device 62 includes a vehicle position acquisition unit 64 that acquires the position information of the vehicle 54(56) from the position information (position information of the GPS receiver 50) acquired by the GPS receiver 50 (position information acquisition unit 60), a narrow road entry detection unit 66 that detects when the vehicle 54(56) enters and passes through a narrow road from information on narrow roads, the entrance and exit of narrow roads, and the position information of the vehicle 54(56), and a narrow road entry information transmission unit 68 that transmits identification information and direction of entry of the narrow road into which the vehicle 54(56) enters, as well as identification information and entry information of the narrow road that the vehicle 54(56) has passed through, to a communication terminal 52.

[0044] The location information of vehicle 54 (56) is, for example, location information for a narrow road stored in database 70. Since the location information acquired by GPS receiver 50 (location information acquisition unit 60) is updated sequentially, the location information of vehicle 54 (56) is also updated sequentially.

[0045] The narrow roads stored in database 70 are those where two vehicles cannot pass each other. For example, narrow roads where two ordinary cars cannot pass each other are stored in database 70. The narrow roads stored in database 70 are stored, for example, as line segments connecting the entrance and exit of the narrow road. The line segments connecting the entrance and exit of the narrow road are identified, for example, by the longitude and latitude of the entrance and the longitude and latitude of the exit. The narrow roads stored in database 70 may also include identifiers, road names, and road widths used for route searching.

[0046] As described above, the vehicle position acquisition unit 64 acquires position information of the vehicle 54 (56) relative to the narrow road, and the position information acquired by the GPS receiver 50 (position information acquisition unit 60) is updated sequentially, so the narrow road entry detection unit 66 can detect when the vehicle 54 (56) enters and passes through the narrow road.

[0047] The narrow road entry information transmission unit 68 causes the communication terminal 52 to transmit identification information of the narrow road that the vehicle 54(56) is entering and the direction of entry when the vehicle 54(56) enters the narrow road, and causes the communication terminal 52 to transmit identification information of the narrow road that the vehicle 54(56) has passed through and the direction of entry when the vehicle 54(56) has passed through the narrow road.

[0048] The server 58 includes a communication device 72 capable of communicating with communication terminals 52 of multiple vehicles 54, 56, a storage device 74 that stores identification information and entry information of a narrow road into which multiple vehicles 54, 56 enter, and a control device 76 that stores the identification information and entry direction of the narrow road in the storage device 74 when any one of the multiple vehicles 54, 56 enters the narrow road, and erases the identification information and entry direction of the narrow road from the storage device 74 when that vehicle 54, 56 has passed through the narrow road.

[0049] The memory device 74 is a memory device that temporarily stores information (such as identification information for narrow roads and the direction of entry), and can store and erase information in a short time. The reason for storing narrow roads in the memory device 74 is that it is necessary to mediate the order of travel with oncoming vehicles that are entering in the opposite direction, but it is not necessary to mediate the order of travel with preceding vehicles that are entering in the same direction.

[0050] The control device 76 includes a narrow road entry information acquisition unit 78, a narrow road vehicle matching unit 80, a memory control unit 82, an erase control unit 84, and a notification unit 86. The narrow road entry information acquisition unit 78 acquires the narrow road entry information and direction of entry of the vehicles 54 and 56, as well as the identification information and direction of entry of the narrow roads that the vehicles 54 and 56 have passed through, from the information transmitted from the communication terminal 52 of the vehicles 54 and 56 and received by the communication device 72.

[0051] The narrow road vehicle matching unit 80 compares the identification information and entry direction of the narrow road into which vehicles 54 and 56 are entering with the identification information and entry direction of the narrow road stored in the storage device 74. The storage control unit 82 stores the identification information and entry direction of the narrow road into which vehicles 54 and 56 are entering in the storage device 74 if the same narrow road identification information as the narrow road into which vehicles 54 and 56 are entering is not stored, but the entry direction is in the opposite direction to the entry direction of vehicles 54 and 56 entering the narrow road. The erase control unit 84 erases the identification information and entry direction of the narrow road that vehicles 54 and 56 have passed from the storage device 74.

[0052] If the notification unit 86 has the same identification information for the narrow road into which the vehicle 56 is entering, but with an entry direction opposite to the direction in which the vehicle 56 is entering the narrow road, the communication device 72 notifies the communication terminal 52 that the storage device 74 has an entry direction opposite to the direction in which the vehicle 56 is entering the narrow road.

[0053] The aforementioned navigation device 62 has a notification acquisition unit 88 that receives a notification from the communication device 72 to the communication terminal 52 indicating that the storage device 74 has stored a direction of entry opposite to the direction of entry of the vehicle 56 entering the narrow road. Based on this, the navigation device 62 instructs the vehicle to wait before entering the narrow road.

[0054] [Assistance procedures for the vehicle's driving assistance system] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the information transmission procedure for vehicles 54 and 56 shown in Figure 4, and Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the information transmission procedure for server 58 shown in Figure 4. As shown in Figure 5, when multiple vehicles 54 and 56 receive GPS signals from the GPS receiver 50, the GPS receiver 50's position information acquisition unit 60 acquires the GPS receiver 50's position information from the GPS signals (step S31). Once the GPS receiver 50's position information is acquired, the vehicle position acquisition unit 64 of the navigation device 62 acquires the position information of vehicles 54 and 56 relative to the narrow road (step S32). The position information acquired by the GPS receiver 50 is updated sequentially, and the position information of vehicles 54 and 56 relative to the narrow road is also updated sequentially. Then, when vehicles 54 and 56 enter the narrow road (step S33: Yes), the narrow road entry information transmission unit 68 causes the communication terminal 52 to transmit identification information of the narrow road that vehicles 54 and 56 are entering and the direction of entry (step S34). Furthermore, when vehicles 54 and 56 pass through a narrow road (steps S37, S38, and S39: Yes), the narrow road entry information transmission unit 68 causes the communication terminal 52 to transmit identification information of the narrow road through which vehicles 54 and 56 are passing and the direction of entry (step S40).

[0055] As shown in Figure 6, when the server 58 receives the identification information and direction of entry of the narrow road into which vehicles 54 and 56 are entering, transmitted from the communication terminal 52 by the communication device 72, the narrow road entry information acquisition unit 78 acquires the identification information and direction of entry of the narrow road into which vehicles 54 and 56 are entering (Step S51: Yes). Once the narrow road entry information acquisition unit 78 has acquired the identification information and direction of entry of the narrow road into which vehicles 54 and 56 are entering, the narrow road vehicle matching unit 80 compares the identification information and direction of entry of the narrow road into which vehicles 54 and 56 are entering with the identification information and direction of entry of the narrow road stored in the storage device 74 (Step S52).

[0056] If the identification information for the narrow road into which vehicles 54 and 56 enter is the same as the identification information for the narrow road into which vehicles 54 and 56 enter, and the direction of entry opposite to the direction of entry of vehicles 54 and 56 entering the narrow road is not stored (step S52: No), the memory control unit 82 stores the identification information for the narrow road into which vehicles 54 and 56 enter and the direction of entry in the memory device 74 (step S54). Therefore, if the identification information for the narrow road into which vehicles 54 and 56 enter is the same as the identification information for the narrow road into which vehicles 54 and 56 enter, and the direction of entry opposite to the direction of entry of vehicles 54 and 56 entering the narrow road is not stored, the memory control unit 82 stores the identification information for the narrow road into which vehicles 54 and 56 enter and the direction of entry in the memory device 74, even if the same identification information for the narrow road into which vehicles 54 and 56 enter and the direction of entry in the narrow road into which vehicles 54 and 56 enter is stored.

[0057] When one of the multiple vehicles 54, 56 enters a narrow road, the control device 76 of the server 58, if the storage device 74 has stored identification information of the narrow road into which the vehicle 56 is entering and the direction of entry opposite to the direction of entry of the vehicle 56, causes the communication device 72 to notify the communication terminal 52 of that vehicle 56 (step S53).

[0058] When the communication terminal 52 of the vehicle 56 is notified that the storage device 74 contains identification information for the narrow road that the vehicle 56 is entering and the direction of entry opposite to the direction of entry of the vehicle 56, the notification acquisition unit 88 of the navigation device 62 receives notification from the communication terminal 52 that the storage device 74 contains identification information for the narrow road that the vehicle 56 is entering and the direction of entry opposite to the direction of entry of the vehicle 56. As a result, the navigation device 62 instructs the vehicle to wait before entering the narrow road (step S36).

[0059] When the server 58 receives the identification information and entry direction of the narrow road through which the vehicle 54 is passing, transmitted from the communication terminal 52 to the communication device 72, the narrow road entry information acquisition unit 78 of the control device 76 acquires the identification information and entry direction of the narrow road through which the vehicle 54 has passed (step S55). Once the narrow road entry information acquisition unit 78 has acquired the identification information and entry direction of the narrow road through which the vehicle 54 has passed, the erase control unit 84 erases the identification information and entry direction of the narrow road through which the vehicle 54 has passed from the storage device 74 (step S56).

[0060] [Effectiveness of vehicle driving assistance systems] According to the vehicle driving support system 5 of Embodiment 2, if the identification information of the narrow road into which vehicle 54 is entering and the direction of entry opposite to the direction of entry of vehicle 54 are not stored in the storage device 74, the identification information of the narrow road into which vehicle 54 is entering and the direction of entry are stored in the storage device 74. If the identification information of the narrow road into which vehicle 56 is entering and the direction of entry opposite to the direction of entry of vehicle 56 are stored in the storage device 74, the navigation device 62 instructs the vehicle to wait before entering the narrow road because the oncoming vehicle 54, which entered the narrow road from the opposite direction of the direction of entry of vehicle 56, is currently traveling on the narrow road. Therefore, it is possible to prevent vehicle 56 from entering the narrow road when the oncoming vehicle 54 is traveling on the narrow road. This makes it possible to mediate the order in which vehicles 54 and 56, which are facing each other across the narrow road, enter the narrow road according to the order in which they entered the narrow road.

[0061] [Variation 3 of the vehicle's driving assistance system] The database 70 stores standby position information set on both sides of a narrow road, and the navigation device 62 may include a standby position designation unit 90 that designates a standby position on the entrance side of the vehicle 56's direction of entry when the vehicle 56 enters the narrow road, provided that the storage device 74 stores the same identification information for the narrow road into which the vehicle 56 is entering, but with an entry direction opposite to the direction in which the vehicle 56 is entering the narrow road, and a display generation unit 94 that displays the standby position on a display device 92 provided on the vehicle 56.

[0062] According to the vehicle driving support system 5 of the modified example 3, the waiting positions set on both sides of the narrow road are displayed on the display device 92, so the waiting position of vehicle 56 can be identified, where it waits until an oncoming vehicle 54 that entered from the opposite direction to the direction of vehicle 56's entry has passed.

[0063] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and includes modified forms of the embodiments described above, as well as forms that combine these forms as appropriate. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0064] 1. Vehicle driving assistance system 10 GPS receivers 12 Communication terminals 14,16 vehicles 18 servers 20 Location information acquisition section 22 Location Information Transmission Unit 24 Communication equipment 26 Storage device 28 Control device 30 databases 32 Vehicle position acquisition unit 34 Vehicle position comparison section 36 Navigation System 38 Notification acquisition part 40 Notification generator 42 Display device 44 Display generation section 5. Vehicle driving assistance systems 50 GPS receivers 52 Communication terminals 54,56 vehicles 58 servers 60 Location information acquisition section 62 Navigation System 64 Vehicle position acquisition unit 66 Narrow road entry detection unit 68 Narrow road approach information transmission section 70 Databases 72 Communication equipment 74 Storage device 76 Control device 78 Narrow road approach information acquisition unit 80. Vehicle detection unit for vehicles entering narrow roads. 82 Memory Control Unit 84 Deletion Control Unit 86 Notification Department 88 Notification acquisition part 90 Standby position specification section 92 Display device 94 Display generation section

Claims

1. A vehicle driving support system comprising a plurality of vehicles equipped with GPS receivers and communication terminals, and a server, The aforementioned server, A communication device capable of communicating with the communication terminals of the aforementioned multiple vehicles, A storage device that stores identification information and the direction of entry of the narrow road into which the aforementioned multiple vehicles enter, A control device that, when any one of the multiple vehicles enters the narrow road, stores the identification information of the narrow road and the direction of entry in the storage device, and erases the identification information of the narrow road and the direction of entry from the storage device when the vehicle passes through the narrow road, Equipped with, Each of the aforementioned plurality of vehicles is equipped with a navigation device that, when the vehicle is entering the narrow road, instructs the vehicle to wait before entering the narrow road if the identification information of the narrow road and the direction of entry opposite to the direction of entry of the vehicle are stored in the storage device. The aforementioned server, The system includes a database that stores information about the aforementioned narrow road and the entrance and exit of the aforementioned narrow road. The control device is A vehicle position acquisition unit that acquires the location information of the vehicle from the location information transmitted from the communication terminal and received by the communication device, When the location information of the vehicle is obtained, a vehicle position comparison unit compares the positions of the multiple vehicles on the narrow road, A notification generation unit generates a notification that includes location information of vehicles within a predetermined range, to be transmitted to vehicles within a predetermined range of the narrow road when one of the multiple vehicles enters the narrow road. It has, The aforementioned vehicle is equipped with a display device, The aforementioned navigation device is A notification acquisition unit that acquires the aforementioned notification, A display generation unit that displays the position of the vehicle within the predetermined range on the display device, It has, A vehicle driving assistance system in which the vehicles within the predetermined range include one of the multiple vehicles and an oncoming vehicle entering the narrow road from the opposite direction to the direction of entry of the one vehicle.

2. The vehicle driving support system according to Claim 1, wherein the vehicles within the predetermined range further include following vehicles that enter the narrow road after one of the plurality of vehicles.

3. The vehicle driving support system according to Claim 1, wherein the vehicles within the predetermined range further include vehicles that enter the narrow road within a predetermined time after one of the plurality of vehicles has passed the road.

4. The database stores information on waiting positions set on both sides of the narrow road, The notification generation unit includes in the notification standby position information set on both sides of the narrow road, The display generation unit causes the display device to display the standby positions set on both sides of the narrow road, with the narrow road in between. A vehicle driving support system according to claim 1.

5. The aforementioned vehicle is The system includes a database that stores information about the aforementioned narrow road and the entrance and exit of the aforementioned narrow road. The aforementioned navigation device is A vehicle position acquisition unit that acquires the vehicle's position information from the position information acquired by the GPS receiver, A narrow road entry detection unit detects when a vehicle enters and passes through a narrow road based on information about the narrow road, the entrance and exit of the narrow road, and the location information of the vehicle. A narrow road entry information transmission unit transmits to the communication terminal identification information and entry direction of the narrow road into which the vehicle enters, and identification information and entry information of the narrow road that the vehicle has passed through. It has, The control device is A narrow road entry information acquisition unit acquires from the communication terminal the narrow road into which the vehicle enters and the direction of entry, as well as identification information and the direction of entry of the narrow road that the vehicle has passed through. A narrow road entry vehicle matching unit compares the identification information and entry direction of the narrow road into which the vehicle enters with the identification information and entry direction of the narrow road stored in the storage device. A storage control unit stores the identification information of the narrow road into which the vehicle enters and the direction of entry in the storage device if the identification information of the narrow road into which the vehicle enters is the same as the identification information of the narrow road into which the vehicle enters, and if the direction of entry in the opposite direction to the direction of entry of the vehicle entering the narrow road is not stored. An erase control unit that erases the identification information and entry direction of the narrow road through which the vehicle has passed from the storage device, A notification unit notifies the communication terminal that the same narrow road identification information as the vehicle entering the narrow road is stored, and that the direction of entry is opposite to the direction of entry of the vehicle entering the narrow road, and that the direction of entry opposite to the direction of entry of the vehicle entering the narrow road is stored. It has, The navigation device has a notification acquisition unit that receives notification from the communication terminal that the storage device has information indicating the identification of a narrow road into which the vehicle is entering and the direction of entry opposite to the direction in which the vehicle is entering. A vehicle driving support system according to claim 1.

6. The aforementioned vehicle is Equipped with a display device, The database stores information on waiting positions set on both sides of the narrow road, The aforementioned navigation device is When the vehicle enters a narrow road, if the same narrow road identification information as the vehicle is entering the narrow road, and the entry direction is the opposite of the entry direction of the vehicle, the waiting position designation unit designates a waiting position on the entrance side of the entry direction of the vehicle. A display generation unit that displays the standby position on the display device, Having, A vehicle driving support system according to claim 5.

Images